V HD : Setting it up for the kids

[stereohaven]

We have a V HD box being installed upstairs when we move to Virgin Media and the likelihood is the kids will mostly be using it.

Obviously it doesn't record but what useful functions does it have? Does it still do On Demand for example?

And what sort of parental controls does it have? Can I block channels like I did with my Sky+ box or things I don't want them to mess up?

[BenMcr]

The V HD box does everything the V+HD box does apart from record, so yes it still has access to On Demand and all the channels in your subscription

This will help set it up:

What are the parental control TV settings?

[stereohaven]

Thank you, that is very helpful.

In fact it looks like the V HD box (and TiVo) has more control over parental settings than my Sky+ HD box did, a real plus.

[BenMcr]

Just one thing to note. Unlike Sky the purchase control on the V HD is tied into the age restriction. So if you allow them to watch U or PG On Demand they can order those rated films as well without a PIN

On the TiVo box it works the same as Sky in that you can set the PIN to be required for purchases seperately to the rating restriction

[stereohaven]

Sounds like restrict everything is the best way forward then!

[m0j00]

There is a way of stopping all purchases on a box.You have to ring up and ask for it to be applied through customer services.It has a 2 letter prefix on the system but i cant remember what it was.I got it applied on my boxes so the kids couldnt buy anything.